Rama unhappy with acting police chief

THE appointment of Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el as acting chief of the Cebu City Police Office is viewed by the city mayor as “political preparation.”

Mayor Michael Rama visited PNP Director General Alan Purisima in Camp Crame last Wednesday to lobby against the appointment of Natu-el and to insist on his choice of Senior Supt. Noli Romana.

Rama said he also visited Malacanang to speak to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa about the same concern but he was only told that “it would all be up to the president” to decide on his appeal.

“I wanted to bring to their (Purisima and Ochoa’s) attention my disenchantment with how the changing of the guard was done (without my approval),” he said.

In the meantime, Rama said, he will have to recognize Natu-el as a member of the Police Coordinating Advisory Council (PCAC). He also said he will hold Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr., director of the Police Regional Office (PRO 7), responsible of the city’s peace and order.

Rama would have wanted former CCPO director Senior Supt. Ramon Melvin Buenafe to remain for the Sinulog celebration and the May 2013 elections but Buenafe chose to transfer to Camp Crame for career advancement after his tour of duty ended.

“If there were situations before where an extension was granted, I do not see any reason why it cannot be done now…. Can’t a local government unit seek extension anymore or am I just being singled out?” Rama said.

Buenafe has recommended Romana to thr mayor as his replacement.

Romana is chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 12 based in Zamboanga City.

Rama said he has nothing personal against Natu-el but wanted his own “choice” as CCPO director.

The mayor said Natu-el’s appointment surprised him as he was earlier told that Buenafe would remain police chief until Jan. 13./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac